News

Public transportation can be a tough sell in a place known for its rugged individualism. But the Central Area Rural Transit System, CARTS, is working on a new strategic plan to make it easier for those who do depend on public transit to get a ride.

It's an even numbered year, so you can count on election stories to increase through the fall. Locally, on Saturday, the District 29 and 30 Democrats met - separately - to take care of some party business, and to prepare for their convention, the primary election and the general.

Michele Vasquez is the chair of District 30, which includes Kenai and Soldotna. She said one long-time local leader offered some timely resolutions that delegates will bring to the state convention in May.

Each year, about 12,000 prisoners are released in the state of Alaska. Three years after release, more than 60 percent of them will be back in prison. Lowering that recidivism rate has been a top goal of Alaska Department of Corrections Commissioner Dean Williams. And his department is trying to team with the city of Kenai to bring those numbers down.

Patch up your waders and fish out your fishing line, because king salmon season is right around the corner. But make sure you’re aware of regulation changes before heading to the Kenai River this year.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is eying a $1.3 million to $2 million budget deficit next school year. Much of that will be covered by the district’s reserve account. But the rest, depending on how state and borough funding shake out, could mean cuts in the classroom.